Toshiba X305-Q725: Quad-Core Gaming Notebook
by Jarred Walton on March 11, 2009 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Test Setup
Below is the test configuration for the Toshiba X305-Q725. We will compare its performance with other recently tested notebooks, specifically focusing on how it does against other gaming laptops.
| Toshiba X305-725 Test System | |
| Processor | Core 2 Quad Q9000 (Quad-Core 2.00GHz, 2x3MB Shared L2, 1066FSB) |
| Memory | 2x2048MB Hynix PC3-8500 @ DDR3-1066 7-7-7-20 (Hynix HMT125S6AFP8C-G7N0 AA) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTX 1024MB Driver version 179.48 (NVIDIA Reference) GPU/SP/RAM Clocks: 500/1250/1600 MHz (256-bit) |
| Display | 17.0" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Glossy AU Optronics B154SW01 VB |
| Hard Drive | 1 x 64GB Toshiba SSD (THNS064GE4BBDC) 1 x Hitachi TravekStar 320GB 7200RPM (HTS723232L9A360) |
| Optical Drive | 8x DVDR SuperMulti (Pioneer DVRTD08L) |
| Battery | 6-Cell 54Whr |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit |
Because of the native resolution of the LCD, we will test at 1680x1050. That tends to be the sweet spot for performance on this sort of GPU configuration, since WUXGA generally requires more power than a single mobile GPU can provide at present - at least if you want to keep detail settings on high. Toshiba also omits some common resolutions (1280x800 and 1440x900), so if you want to run at a 16:10 aspect ratio other than the native resolution you'll need to hack in support (which can usually be done via the NV_MODES registry key).
Along with the performance evaluation of the X305-Q725, we've also included updated numbers for the Clevo D901C (Sager NP9262), which features 8800M GTX SLI GPUs and a desktop E6850 processor. (Note that more recent models ship with up to dual 9800M GTX GPUs, which can be up to 20% faster, and GTX 280M SLI should further improve on that by another 15-25%.) With NVIDIA now offering quarterly driver updates for most notebooks with discrete NVIDIA GPUs, the driver situation has at least improved substantially. General compatibility and performance is improved in many cases, and more games now have SLI profiles. There's still a chance that you'll run into problems with the latest games, but it's a rare occurrence and at worst we should now see driver fixes every three months.
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yyrkoon - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
I agree with the SFF notion except for a few points.The first point would be that no reputable mini-ITX motherboard manufacturer sells a motherboard with 16x PCI-e. Sure, you could always *attempt* to play games with the onboard graphics, but you're most likely going to be very disappointed.
Second point would be power usage if that is a concern ( which for me it can be since we're solar/wind power ). a SFF system built with care, and plenty of thought can still be a power house ( subjective ), and use ~50W without a beefy graphics card. However, you will find it very hard to beat a laptop in power usage just because of the LCD you have to hook up to that SFF system. A typical 19" WS LCD such as the one I have will use 23W all by its self which can put a damper on this aspect of the idea.
Another point would be cutting edge technology on SFF mini-ITX boards. I have yet to find a mini-ITX board of current that will address more than 4GB of RAM, a lot of them only have two DIMM slots. Let us not forget that a lot of graphics editors could use such a system ( I am one ), and even 4GB of RAM is cutting it close if you want to do any *real* image manipulation. The of course you have outdated chipsets on a lot of these boards that make them not even worth purchasing in my own personal opinion.
Anyhow, I suppose if you did not mind using a mATX board, you may be able to come out ahead on some of all of these issues ( plus many more I did not even address ). But if you're looking for a mini-ITX board that either uses laptop or desktop based CPU's . . . well, I just think that we're al going to be SOL for a long time to come yet.
cheetah2k - Thursday, March 12, 2009 - link
Definately a white elephant. Not only that, wheres the subjective review vs a comparitive Dell XPS 1730?